Remember 1998? Bill Clinton famously stated he “did not have sexual relations with that woman,” a.k.a. Monica Lewinsky. Linda Tripp leaked tapes that detailed the scandal, while pop culture was buzzing with gems like The Big Lebowski reminding us that “this aggression will not stand, man.” And remember the weekly tradition of someone killing Kenny? There was a lot going on, but let’s be real—you were probably daydreaming about the latest dELiA*s catalog.
Admit it: you miss Alternative Nation, can still belt out every word of Garbage’s “I Think I’m Paranoid,” and would absolutely wear the hell out of a 1998 dELiA*s catalog.
Don’t Even Think About Lying About Skinny Jeans
Back in the day, skinny jeans were just mom jeans—those ’80s throwbacks that were only good for retro parties. In 1998, we embraced real pants, like baggy straight-leg jeans. Remember how incredibly comfortable they were? Who even cared about a thigh gap? dELiA*s taught us to drown in our jeans, prepared at any moment to: skate, snowboard, or watch the boys do the same.
And if we weren’t in baggy straight jeans, we were rocking “bootcut” styles that were just slightly bell-bottomed. Calling them that would’ve made us seem like wannabe retro hippies (not the cool kind, like Dave Matthews Band fans). Then we had the glory of baggy corduroy pants—the comfiest pants before yoga pants took over. dELiA*s also had us all about those baggy khakis and fat skate shoes—preferably Airwalks or maybe Vans.
dELiA*s Revolutionized the Maxi Skirt
Maxi skirts were all the rage. Picture denim skirts that looked like they were stitched together from two pairs of jeans, reaching your ankles and featuring pockets. Pockets! Those skirts were practically indestructible and could easily transition from casual to dressy. I wore mine until it ripped during a college make-out session (you know who you are, dear ex).
Maxi skirts paired beautifully with baby tees, spaghetti-strap tops, skate shoes, sandals, or flip-flops. You can even score one on Amazon if you’re feeling nostalgic—it’s basically the ultimate dress-up mom skirt, and it looked fantastic.
Remember the Epic Winter Gear?
dELiA*s always assumed we were gearing up for extreme sports—especially skateboarding. Remember those super-baggy sweaters with stripes across the chest? We all looked like we borrowed clothes from our bleach-tipped boyfriends, ready to whip out a hacky sack at any moment. And let’s not forget the hats—beanies and those awesome earflap winter hats that were stylish and cozy. Puffy vests were also a must-have and could be worn inappropriately with a T-shirt.
Paul Frank Mania
dELiA*s was the place to be for all things Paul Frank. That adorable little sock monkey graced purses, backpacks, and more. I still have a Paul Frank stuffed animal because let’s face it—he was just too cute to resist. And don’t even get me started on the Hello Kitty obsession—everything from wallets to who knows what else. Mariah Carey was all about it too. I want a Batz Maru shirt so bad!
Platform Shoes Galore
Platforms were the name of the game. From sneakers to boots to flip-flops, we had them all and craved even more. They made us taller and our legs look longer, plus they could be preppy or punk. I had these strappy black platform boots that were knee-high and looked incredible.
Wild Makeup Trends
Makeup was a riot of colors and glitters. Remember the brown lipstick trend? You know it looked good! And who could forget body glitter? We sparkled like the vampires from a world before Twilight. I shudder to think what it did to the environment, but I miss that glitter blush.
Skater Dresses Were Everything
Skater dresses hit mid-knee, often tight around the bodice with a little flare. They were typically striped (of course) and paired perfectly with platform flip-flops. I need a dELiA*s skater dress in my life again—boob stripes and all. You know you want one too, because they could instantly make you look cute.
We Just Want ’90s Fashion Back
Honestly, we just want to dress like it’s 1998 again. We were adorable, glitter was our signature, and straight-leg jeans are back in fashion. I even snagged a pair of stovepipe jeans at Target recently—so there’s hope! Now, if only I could find some chunky Airwalks and platform flip-flops. Maybe we’re just getting old, but whatever. Bring back that brown lipstick!
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Summary:
This article nostalgically reflects on the iconic fashion and trends of the late 90s, particularly those from the dELiA*s catalog. It highlights the comfort and style of baggy jeans, maxi skirts, platform shoes, and the vibrant makeup choices of the time. The author longs for a revival of these styles, emphasizing their chicness and the carefree spirit of that era.
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